Gerry Francis and Ray Wilkins tip Tottenham Hotspur for top four, single out Eric Dier for praise

Tottenham Hotspur are currently on a great run of form in the Premier League. The club are unbeaten in the league since the opening day defeat to Manchester United and are currently sitting in fifth place after their 3-1 win against Aston Villa on Monday night.

Much of that success has come from their defensive performances this term. Only two teams, Arsenal and Manchester United, have conceded fewer goals than Spurs in the Premier League this season with nine.

One big reason for that success has been the performances of Eric Dier in the holding midfield role. The defender has evolved into a great shield in front of the back-four and two former pros certainly expressed that view on Sky Sports News this morning (04/1/2015).

"They've certainly tightened up defensively. I think (Eric) Dier has made a great impression on that. Holding player in midfield, he is only 21, obviously without having the balance right. Without effecting their ability to go forward and score goals."

To which former Chelsea and Manchester United midfielder Ray Wilkins agreed:

"I agree with Gerry. The stability defensively is something they haven't had for a long period but now they seem to have that. "

Mathew Nash

I’m Mathew Nash a 27 year old graduate in Sports Studies and I have an insatiable love for sport. With a particularly keen interest for the madcap world of football I have always been known amongst friends as a beacon for bizarre sporting trivia and knowledge. My other passion is for writing and hopefully combining the two will create a superb and entertaining marriage that will create, divide and share opinion.Mathew is a correspondent for the NextGen Series, Ligue 1 and Primeira Liga.